Appendix I: Anatomical Prefixes and Suffixes
Source: Wikipedia. 2021. List of Medical Roots, Suffixes, and Prefixes. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_medical_roots,_suffixes_and_prefixes.
Alphabetical Index:
A B C D E G H I J-K L M N O P Q-R S T U V X-Z
Index by Topic:
Bodily Concepts Body Parts and Substances Colour Description Position Quantity or Amount
A
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
| a-, an- | not, without (alpha privative) | Greek ἀ-/ἀν- (a-/an-), not, without | analgesic, apathy |
| ab- | from; away from | Latin | abduction |
| abdomin- | of or relating to the abdomen | Latin abdōmen, abdomen, fat around the belly | abdomen, abdominal |
| -ac | pertaining to; one afflicted with | Greek -ακός (-akós) | cardiac, hydrophobiac |
| acanth- | thorn or spine | Greek ἄκανθα (ákantha), thorn | acanthion, acanthocyte, acanthoma, acanthulus |
| acou-[1] | of or relating to hearing | Greek ἀκούειν (akoúein), ἀκουστικός (akoustikós), of or for hearing | acoumeter, acoustician, hyperacusis |
| acr- | extremity, topmost | Greek ἄκρον (ákron), highest or farthest point | acrocrany, acromegaly, acroosteolysis, acroposthia |
| -acusis | hearing | Greek ἀκουστικός (akoustikós), of or for hearing | paracusis |
| -ad | toward, in the direction of | Latin ad, toward, to | dorsad, ventrad |
| ad- | at, increase, on, toward | Latin ad-, to | adduction, addition |
| aden- | of or relating to a gland | Greek ἀδήν, ἀδέν-, (adḗn, adén-), an acorn; a gland | adenocarcinoma, adenology, adenotome, adenotyphus |
| adip- | of or relating to fat or fatty tissue | Latin (adeps, adip-), fat | adipocyte |
| adren- | of or relating to the adrenal glands | Latin ad + rēnēs, kidneys | adrenal artery |
| -aemia, ema, hemat (BrE) | blood condition | Greek ἀναιμία (anaimía), without blood | anaemia |
| aer(o)- | air, gas | Greek ἀήρ, ἀέρος (aḗr, aéros) | aerosinusitis, aerodynamics |
| aesthesi- (BrE) | sensation | Greek αἴσθησις (aísthēsis) | anaesthesia |
| -al | pertaining to | Latin -alis | abdominal, femoral |
| alb- | denoting a white or pale color | Latin albus, white | albino, tunica albica |
| alge(si)- | pain | Greek ἄλγος (álgos) | analgesic |
| -algia, alg(i)o- | pain | Greek | myalgia |
| all- | denoting something as different, or as an addition | Greek ἄλλος (állos), another, other | alloantigen, allopathy |
| ambi- | denoting something as positioned on both sides; describing both of two | Latin (ambi-, ambo), both, on both sides | ambidextrous |
| amnio- | Pertaining to the membranous fetal sac (amnion) | Greek ἄμνιον (ámnion) | amniocentesis |
| amph(i)- | on both sides | Greek ἀμφί (amphí) | amphicrania, amphismela, amphomycin |
| amylo- | starchy, carbohydrate-related | Latin amylum (starch) | amylase, amylophagia |
| an- | not, without (alpha privative) | Greek | analgesia |
| ana- | back, again, up | Greek ἀνα- (ana-) | anaplasia |
| an- | anus | Latin | anal |
| andr- | pertaining to a man | Greek ἀνήρ, ἀνδρ- (anḗr, andr-), male | android, andrology, androgen |
| angi- | blood vessel | Greek ἀγγεῖον (angeîon) | angiogram, angioplasty |
| aniso- | describing something as unequal | Greek ἄνῑσος (ánīsos), unequal | anisocytosis, anisotropic |
| ankyl-, ancyl- | denoting something as crooked or bent | Greek ἀγκύλος (ankúlos), crooked, curved | ankylosis |
| ante- | describing something as positioned in front of another thing | Latin (āntē), before, in front of | antepartum |
| anthropo- | human | Greek άνθρωπος (ánthrōpos), human | anthropology |
| anti- | describing something as ‘against’ or ‘opposed to’ another | Greek αντι (anti), against | antibody, antipsychotic |
| apo- | away, separated from, derived from | Greek ἀπό (apó) | apoptosis |
| archi- | first, primitive | Greek ἀρχι- (arkhi-) | archinephron |
| arsen(o)- | of or pertaining to a male; masculine | Greek αρσενικός (arsenikós) | arsenoblast |
| arteri(o)- | of or pertaining to an artery | Greek ἀρτηρία (artēría), a wind-pipe, artery (used distinctly versus a vein) | arteriole, artery |
| arthr- | of or pertaining to the joints, limbs | Greek ἄρθρον (árthron), a joint, limb | arthritis |
| articul- | joint | Latin articulus | articulation |
| -ary | pertaining to | Latin -arius | biliary tract, coronary |
| -ase | enzyme | from Greek διάστασις (δια- (dia-, part, apart) + στάσις (stásis, stand)), division | lactase |
| -asthenia | weakness | Greek ἀσθένεια (asthéneia) | myasthenia gravis |
| atel(o)- | imperfect or incomplete development | Greek ἀτελής (atelḗs), without end, incomplete | atelocardia |
| ather- | fatty deposit, soft gruel-like deposit | ἀθάρη (athárē) | atherosclerosis |
| -ation | process | Latin | medication, civilization |
| atri- | an atrium (esp. heart atrium) | Latin | atrioventricular |
| aur- | of or pertaining to the ear | Latin (auris), the ear | aural |
| aut- | self | Greek αὐτός, αὐτο- (autós, auto-) | autoimmune, autograph, autobiography, automobile, automatic |
| aux(o)- | increase; growth | Greek αὐξάνω, αὔξω (auxánō, aúxō) | auxocardia: enlargement of the heart, auxology |
| axill- | of or pertaining to the armpit (uncommon as a prefix) | Latin (axilla), armpit | axilla |
| azo(to)- | nitrogenous compound | French azote, nitrogen; from Greek άζωτικός (ázōtikós) ἀ- (a-, no, without) + ζωή (zōḗ, life)), mephitic air | azothermia: raised temperature due to nitrogenous substances in blood |
B
C
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
| capill- | of or pertaining to hair | Latin capillus, hair | capillus |
| capit- | pertaining to the head as a whole | Latin caput, capit-, the head | capitation, decapitation |
| carcin- | cancer | Greek καρκίνος (karkínos), crab | carcinoma |
| cardi- | of or pertaining to the heart | Greek καρδία (kardía), heart | cardiology |
| carp- | of or pertaining to the wrist | Latin (carpus) < Greek καρπός (karpós), wrist; NOTE: This root should not be confused with the mirror root carp(o)- meaning fruit. | carpal, carpopedal spasm, metacarpal |
| cata- | down, under | Greek κατά (katá) | catabolism, catacombs, cataract |
| -cele | pouching, hernia | Greek κήλη (kḗlē) | hydrocele, varicocele |
| -centesis | surgical puncture for aspiration | Greek κέντησις (kéntēsis) | amniocentesis |
| cephal(o)- | of or pertaining to the head (as a whole) | Greek κεφαλή (kephalḗ), the head | cephalalgy, hydrocephalus |
| cerat(o)- | of or pertaining to the cornu; a horn | Greek κέρας, κερατ- (kéras, kerat-), a horn | ceratoid |
| cerebell(o)- | of or pertaining to the cerebellum | Latin cerebellum, little brain | cerebellum |
| cerebr(o)- | of or pertaining to the brain | Latin cerebrum, brain | cerebrology |
| cervic- | of or pertaining to the neck or the cervix | Latin cervix, cervīc-), neck, cervix | cervical vertebrae, cervicodorsal |
| cheil- | of or pertaining to the lips | Greek χεῖλος (kheîlos), lip, mouth, beak | angular cheilitis |
| chem(o)- | chemistry, drug | Greek χημεία (khēmeía) | chemical, chemistry, chemotherapy |
| chir-, cheir- | of or pertaining to the hand | Greek χείρ, χειρο- (kheír, kheiro-), hand | chiropractor |
| chlor- | denoting a green color | Greek χλωρός (khlōrós), green, yellow-green | chlorophyll |
| chol(e)- | of or pertaining to bile | Greek χολή (kholḗ), bile | cholaemia (UK) / cholemia (US), cholecystitis |
| cholecyst(o)- | of or pertaining to the gallbladder | Greek χοληκύστις (kholēkústis), gallbladder < χολή (kholḗ), bile, gall + κύστις (kústis), bladder | cholecystectomy |
| chondr(i)o- | cartilage, gristle, granule, granular | Greek χονδρός (grc) | chondrocalcinosis |
| chrom(ato)- | color | Greek χρῶμα (khrôma) | hemochromatosis |
| -cidal, -cide | killing, destroying | Latin -cīda, cutter, killer | bacteriocidal, suicide, suicidal |
| cili- | of or pertaining to the cilia, the eyelashes; eyelids | Latin cilium, eyelash; eyelid | ciliary |
| circum- | denoting something as ‘around’ another | Latin circum, around | circumcision |
| cis- | on this side | Latin cis | cisgender |
| -clast | break | Greek κλαστός (klastós), broken | osteoclast |
| clostr- | spindle | Greek κλωστήρ (klōstḗr), spindle, thread | Clostridium |
| co- | with, together, in association | Latin co- | coenzymes, co-organization |
| -coccus, ‑coccal | round, spherical | Greek κόκκος (kókkos), berry, seed | Streptococcus |
| col-, colo-, colono- | colon | Greek κόλον (kólon) | colonoscopy |
| colp- | of or pertaining to the vagina | Greek κόλπος (kólpos), bosom, womb; hollow, depth | colposcopy |
| com- | with, together | Latin cum | communicate |
| contra- | against | Latin contrā | contraindication |
| cor- | with, together | Latin cor- | corrective |
| cor- | of or pertaining to the eye’s pupil | Greek κόρη (kórē), girl, doll; pupil of the eye | corectomy |
| cord(i)- | of or pertaining to the heart (uncommon as a prefix) | Latin cor, heart | commotio cordis, |
| cornu- | applied to describing processes and parts of the body as likened or similar to horns | Latin cornū, horn | greater cornu |
| coron- | pertaining to the heart | Latin corōna | coronary heart disease |
| cortic- | cortex, outer region | Latin cortex, bark of a tree | corticosteroid |
| cost- | of or pertaining to the ribs | Latin costa, rib | costochondral |
| cox- | of or relating to the hip, haunch, or hip-joint | Latin coxa, hip | coxopodite |
| crani(o)- | belonging or relating to the cranium | Latin cranium, from Greek κρᾱνίον (krāníon), cranium, skull, bones enclosing the brain | craniology |
| -crine, crin(o)- | to secrete | Greek κρίνω (krínō), separate, divide, discern | endocrine |
| cry(o)- | cold | Greek κρύος (krúos), cold, frost | cryoablation, cryogenic |
| cutane- | skin | Latin cutis | subcutaneous |
| cyan(o)- | having a blue color | Greek κύανος, κυάνεος (kúanos, kuáneos, blue, of the color blue) | cyanopsia |
| cycl- | circle, cycle | Greek κύκλος (kúklos) | cyclosis, cyclops, tricycle |
| cyph(o)- | denotes something as bent (uncommon as a prefix) | Greek κυφός (kuphós), bent, hunchback | cyphosis |
| cyst(o)-, cyst(i)- | of or pertaining to the urinary bladder | Greek κύστις (kústis), bladder, cyst | cystotomy |
| cyt(o)-, -cyte | cell | Greek κύτος (kútos), a hollow, vessel | cytokine, leukocyte, cytoplasm |
D
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
| dacry(o)- | of or pertaining to tears | Greek δάκρυ, tear | dacryoadenitis, dacryocystitis |
| -dactyl(o)- | of or pertaining to a finger, toe | Greek δάκτυλος (dáktulos), finger, toe | dactylology, polydactyly |
| de- | from, down, or away from | Latin de- | dehydrate, demonetize, demotion |
| dent- | of or pertaining to teeth | Latin dens, dentis, tooth | dentist, dental |
| dermat(o)-, derm(o)- | of or pertaining to the skin | Greek δέρμα, δέρματος (dérma, dérmatos), skin, human skin | dermatology, epidermis, hypodermic, xeroderma |
| -desis | binding | Greek δέσις (désis) | arthrodesis |
| dextr(o)- | right, on the right side | Latin dexter | dextrocardia |
| di- | two | Greek δι- | diplopia, |
| di- | apart, separation | Latin dis- | dilation, distal, dilute |
| dia- | through, during, across | Greek διά (diá), through, during, across | dialysis |
| dif- | apart, separation | Latin dif- | different |
| digit- | of or pertaining to the finger [rare as a root] | Latin digitus, finger, toe | digit |
| diplo- | twofold | Greek διπλόος (diplóos) | diploid, diplosis |
| -dipsia | (condition of) thirst | Greek δίψα (dípsa) | dipsomania, hydroadipsia, oligodipsia, polydipsia |
| dis- | separation, taking apart | Latin dis- | dissection |
| dors(o)-, dors(i)- | of or pertaining to the back | Latin dorsum, back | dorsal, dorsocephalad |
| dromo- | running, conduction, course | Greek δρόμος (drómos) | dromotropic, syndrome |
| duodeno- | twelve | Latin duodeni | duodenal atresia, duodenum |
| dura- | hard | Latin durus | dura mater |
| dynam(o)- | force, energy, power | Greek δύναμις (dúnamis) | hand strength dynamometer, dynamics |
| -dynia | pain | Greek ὀδύνη (odúnē) | vulvodynia |
| dys- | bad, difficult, defective, abnormal | Greek δυσ- (dus-) | dysentery, dysphagia, dysphasia |
E
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
| -eal (see -al) | pertaining to | English -al, from Latin -ālis | adenohypophyseal, corneal, esophageal, perineal |
| ec- | out, away | Greek ἐκ (ek), out of, from | ectopia, ectopic pregnancy |
| ect(o)- | outer, outside | Greek ἐκτός (ektós) | ectoblast, ectoderm, ectoplasm |
| -ectasia, -ectasis | expansion, dilation | Greek ἔκτασις (éktasis) | bronchiectasis, telangiectasia |
| -ectomy | denotes a surgical operation or removal of a body part; resection, excision | Greek ἐκτομή (ektomḗ), excision | mastectomy |
| -emesis | vomiting condition | Greek ἕμεσις (hémesis) | hematemesis |
| -emia | blood condition (Am. Engl.) | Greek αἷμα (haîma), “blood” | anemia |
| encephal(o)- | of or pertaining to the brain; see also cerebro- | Greek ἐγκέφαλος (enképhalos), the brain | encephalogram |
| endo- | denotes something as inside or within | Greek ἔνδον (éndon), inside, internal | endocrinology, endospore, endoskeleton |
| eosin(o)- | having a red color | Greek ἠώς (ēṓs), dawn, daybreak, morning red, goddess of the dawn (Ἠώς, Ēṓs) | eosinophil granulocyte |
| enter(o)- | of or pertaining to the intestine | Greek ἔντερον (énteron), intestine | gastroenterology |
| epi- | on, upon | Greek ἐπι- (epi-), before, upon, on, outside, outside of | epicardium, epidermis, epidural, episclera, epistaxis, epidemic |
| episi(o)- | of or pertaining to the pubic region, the loins | Greek ἐπίσιον (epísion), the pubic area, loins; vulva | episiotomy |
| erythr(o)- | having a red color | Greek ἐρυθρός (eruthrós), red | erythrocyte |
| -esophageal, -esophago- | gullet (AmE) | Greek οἰσοφάγος (oisophágos) | esophagus |
| esthesio- | sensation (AmE) | Greek αἴσθησις (aísthēsis), to perceive | esthesioneuroblastoma, esthesia |
| eu- | true, good, well, new | εὖ (eû) | eukaryote |
| ex- | out of, away from | Latin ex- | excision, except |
| exo- | denotes something as “outside” another | Greek ἔξω (éxō), outside of, external | exophthalmos, exoskeleton, exoplanet |
| extra- | outside | Latin extra, outside of, beyond | extradural hematoma extraordinary, extreme |
F
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
| faci- | of or pertaining to the face | Latin faciēs, the face, countenance | facioplegic, facial |
| fibr- | fiber | Latin fibra, fiber, filament, entrails[2] | fibril, fibrin, fibrinous pericarditis, fibroblast, fibrosis |
| fil- | fine, hair-like | Latin fīlum, thread | filament, filum terminale |
| foramen | hole, opening, or aperture, particularly in bone | Latin forāmen | foramen magnum |
| -form | used to form adjectives indicating “having the form of” | Latin fōrma, form, shape | cruciform, cuneiform, falciform |
| fore- | before or ahead | Old English fōr(e)-, before, in front of | foregut, foreshadow |
| fossa | a hollow or depressed area; a trench or channel | Latin fossa, ditch, pit | fossa ovalis |
| front- | of or pertaining to the forehead | Latin frōns, front-, the forehead | frontonasal |
G
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
| galact- | milk | Greek γάλα, γαλακτ- (gála, galakt-) | galactorrhea, galaxy |
| gastr- | of or pertaining to the stomach | Greek γαστήρ, γαστρ- (gastḗr, gastr-), stomach, belly | gastroenterology, gastropod |
| -gen | *born in, from | Greek -γενής (-genḗs), from γεν-νάειν (gen-náein), to be born | *endogen |
| of a certain kind | heterogenous | ||
| -genic | formative; pertaining to producing | Greek -γενής (-genḗs) | cardiogenic shock |
| genu- | of or pertaining to the knee | Latin genū, knee | genu valgum |
| -geusia | taste | Greek γεῦσις (geûsis) | ageusia, dysgeusia, hypergeusia, hypogeusia, parageusia |
| gingiv- | of or pertaining to the gums | Latin gingīva, gum | gingivitis |
| glauc(o)- | Having a grey or bluish-grey colour | Greek γλαυκός (glaukós), grey, bluish-grey | glaucoma |
| gloss(o)-, glott(o)- | of or pertaining to the tongue | Greek γλῶσσα, γλῶττα (glôssa, glôtta), tongue | glossology |
| gluco- | sweet | Greek γλυκύς (glukús), sweet | glucocorticoid, glucose |
| glyc- | sugar | Greek γλυκύς (glukús), sweet | glycolysis |
| gnath- | of or pertaining to the jaw | Greek γνάθος (gnáthos), jaw | gnathodynamometer |
| -gnosis | knowledge | Greek γνῶσις (gnôsis), inquiry, knowledge | diagnosis, prognosis |
| gon- | seed, semen; reproductive | Greek γόνος (gónos), fruit, seed, procreating | gonorrhea |
| -gram, -gramme | record or picture | Greek γράμμα (grámma), picture, letter, writing | angiogram, gramophone |
| -graph | instrument used to record data or picture | Greek -γραφία (-graphía), written, drawn, graphic interpretation | electrocardiograph, seismograph |
| -graphy | process of recording | Greek -γραφία (-graphía), written, drawn, graphic interpretation | angiography |
| gyno-, gynaeco- (BrE), gyneco- (AmE) | woman | Greek γυνή, γυναικ (gunḗ, gunaik) | gynaecology, gynecomastia, gynoecium |
H
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
| halluc- | to wander in mind | Latin ālūcinor, to wander in mind | hallucinosis, hallucination |
| hem(at)-, haem(ato)- | of or pertaining to blood | Latin hæma[citation needed], from Greek αἷμα, αἱματ- (grc), blood | hematology, older form haematology |
| hema-, hemo- | blood (AmE) | Greek αἷμα, (grc), blood | hemal, hemoglobin |
| hemangi(o)- | blood vessels | Greek αἷμα, (grc), blood, + ἀγγεῖον (angeîon), vessel, urn | hemangioma |
| hemi- | one-half | Greek ἡμι- (hēmi-), half | cerebral hemisphere |
| hepat-, hepatic- | of or pertaining to the liver | Greek ἧπαρ, ἠπᾰτ- (hêpar, ēpat-), the liver | hepatology, hepatitis |
| heter(o)- | denotes something as “the other” (of two), as an addition, or different | Greek ἕτερος (héteros), the other (of two), another; different | heterogeneous |
| hidr(o)- | sweat | Greek ἱδρώς, ἱδρωτ- (hidrṓs, hidrōt-), sweat, perspiration | hyperhidrosis |
| hist(o)-, histio- | tissue | Greek ἱστός (histós), web, tissue | histology |
| home(o)- | similar | Greek ὅμοιος (homoios), like, resembling, similar | homeopathy |
| hom(o)- | denotes something as “the same” as another or common | Greek ὁμός (homós), the same, common | homosexuality, homozygote, homophobic |
| humer(o)- | of or pertaining to the shoulder (or [rarely] the upper arm) | Latin umerus, shoulder | humerus |
| hydr(o)- | water | Greek ὕδωρ (húdōr), water | hydrophobe, hydrogen |
| hyper- | extreme or beyond normal | Greek ὑπέρ (hupér), over, above; beyond, to the extreme | hypertension, hypertrichosis |
| hyp(o)- | below normal | Greek ὑπό, ὑπο- (hupó), below, under | hypovolemia, hypoxia |
| hyster(o)- | of or pertaining to the womb or the uterus | Greek ὑστέρα (hustéra), womb | hysterectomy, hysteria |
I
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
| -iasis | condition, formation, or presence of | Latin -iasis, pathological condition or process; from Greek ἴασις (íasis), cure, repair, mend | mydriasis |
| iatr(o)- | of or pertaining to medicine or a physician (uncommon as a prefix but common as a suffix; see -iatry) | Greek ἰατρός (iatrós), healer, physician | iatrochemistry, iatrogenesis |
| -iatry | denotes a field in medicine emphasizing a certain body component | Greek ἰατρός (iatrós), healer, physician | podiatry, psychiatry |
| -ic | pertaining to | Greek -ικός (-ikós) | hepatic artery |
| -ics | organized knowledge, treatment | Latin -icus, collection of related things, theme; cognate with Greek -ικός (ikós), of, pertaining to | obstetrics |
| idio- | self, one’s own | Greek ἴδιος (ídios), one’s own | idiopathic |
| ileo- | ileum | Greek εἰλεός (eileós), to shut in, intestinal obstruction | ileocecal valve |
| infra- | below | Latin īnfrā, below | infrahyoid muscles |
| inter- | between, among | Latin inter | interarticular ligament |
| intra- | within | Latin intrā | intramural |
| ipsi- | same | Latin ipsi- | ipsilateral |
| irid(o)- | of or pertaining to the iris | Latin īrīs, rainbow; from Greek ἶρις (îris), rainbow | iridectomy |
| isch- | restriction | Greek ἴσχω (ískhō), hold back, restrain | ischemia |
| ischio- | of or pertaining to the ischium, the hip-joint | Greek ἰσχίον (iskhíon), hip-joint, ischium | ischioanal fossa |
| -ine | of or pertaining to | Latin -īnus, of or pertaining to; cognate with Greek -ινος, added to form adjectives relating to material, time, and so on | morphine, masculine/feminine |
| -ism | condition, disease | Greek -ισμός (-ismós), suffix forming abstract nouns of state, condition, doctrine | dwarfism |
| -ismus | spasm, contraction | Greek -ισμός | hemiballismus |
| iso- | denoting something as being equal | Greek ἴσος (ísos), equal | isotonic |
| -ist | one who specializes in | Greek -ιστής (-istḗs), agent noun, one who practices | pathologist |
| -ite | the nature of, resembling | Latin -ītēs, those belonging to, from Greek -ίτης (-ítēs) | dendrite |
| -itis | inflammation | Greek -ῖτις (-îtis) fem. form of -ίτης (-ítēs), pertaining to, because it was used with the feminine noun νόσος (nósos, disease), thus -îtis nósos, disease of the, disease pertaining to | tonsillitis |
| -ium | structure, tissue | Latin -ium, aggregation or mass of (such as tissue) | pericardium |
J-K
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
| juxta- | near to, alongside, or next to | Latin iuxta | juxtaglomerular apparatus |
| kal- | potassium | New Latin kalium, potassium | hyperkalemia |
| kary-[3] | nucleus | Greek κάρυον (káruon), nut | eukaryote |
| kerat-[4] | cornea (eye or skin) | Greek κέρας (kéras), horn | keratoscope |
| kine-[5] | movement | Greek κινέω (kinéō), to move, to change | akinetopsia, kinesthesia |
| koil-[6] | hollow | Greek κοῖλος (koîlos) | koilocyte |
| kyph-[7] | humped | Greek κυφός (kuphós), bent forward, stooping, hunchbacked | kyphoscoliosis |
L
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
| labi- | of or pertaining to the lip | Latin labia, labium, lip | labiodental |
| lacrim(o)- | tear | Latin lacrima, tear from crying | Lacrimal canaliculi |
| lact(i)-, lact(o) | milk | Latin lac, milk | lactation |
| lapar(o)- | of or pertaining to the abdominal wall, flank | Greek λαπάρα (lapára), flank | laparotomy |
| laryng(o)- | of or pertaining to the larynx, the lower throat cavity where the voice box is | Greek λᾰ́ρυγξ, (lárunx), throat, gullet | larynx |
| latero- | lateral | Latin laterālis, lateral, of or belonging to the side | lateral pectoral nerve |
| lei(o)- | smooth | Greek λεῖος (leîos), smooth | leiomyoma |
| -lepsis, -lepsy | attack, seizure | Greek λῆψις (lêpsis), seizure | epilepsy, narcolepsy |
| lept(o)- | light, slender | Greek λεπτός (leptós), thin, lean | leptomeningeal |
| leuc(o)-, leuk(o)- | denoting a white color | Greek λευκός (leukós), white, bright, pale | leukocyte |
| lingu(a)-, lingu(o)- | of or pertaining to the tongue | Latin lingua, tongue, speech, language | linguistics |
| lip(o)- | fat | Greek λίπος (lípos), fat, lard | liposuction |
| liss(os)- | smooth | Greek Λισσός (Lissós), smooth | lissencephaly |
| lith(o)- | stone, calculus | Greek λῐ́θος (líthos) | lithotripsy |
| log(o)- | speech | Greek λόγος (lógos) | dialog, catalog, logos |
| -logist | denotes someone who studies a certain field (the field of _____-logy); a specialist; one who treats | Greek λογιστής (logistḗs), studier, practitioner (lit., accountant) | oncologist, pathologist |
| -logy | denotes the academic study or practice of a certain field; the study of | Greek -λογῐ́ᾱ (-logíā) base noun for the study of something | hematology, urology |
| lumb(o)-, lumb(a)- | of or relating to the part of the trunk between the lowest ribs and the pelvis. | Latin lumbus or lumbaris, loin | lumbar vertebrae |
| lymph(o)- | lymph | Latin lympha, water | lymphedema |
| lys(o)-, -lytic | dissolution | Greek λῠ́σῐς (lúsis), loosen, release, + -ic | lysosome |
| -lysis | destruction, separation | Greek λῠ́σῐς (lúsis), loosen, release | paralysis |
M
N
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
| nan(o)- | dwarf, small | Greek νᾶνος (nânos), dwarf | nanogram, nanosecond |
| narc(o)- | numb, sleep | Greek νάρκη (nárkē), numbess, torpor | narcolepsy |
| nas(o)- | of or pertaining to the nose | Latin nāsus, nose | nasal |
| nat(o)- | birth | Latin nātus, born, arisen, made | neonatology |
| necr(o)- | death | Greek νεκρός (nekrós), dead body, corpse, dying person | necrosis, necrotizing fasciitis |
| neo- | new | Greek νέος (néos), young, youthful, new, fresh | neoplasm |
| nephr(o)- | of or pertaining to the kidney | Greek νεφρός (nephrós), kidney | nephrology |
| nerv- | of or pertaining to nerves and the nervous system (uncommon as a root: neuro- mostly always used) | Latin nervus, tendon, nerve; cognate with Greek νεῦρον (neûron), tendon, string, nerve | nerve, nervous system |
| neur- | of or pertaining to nerves and the nervous system | Greek νεῦρον (neûron), tendon, sinew, nerve | neurofibromatosis |
| noci- | pain, injury, hurt | Latin noceō | nociception |
| norm- | normal | Latin nōrma, norm or standard; lit. carpenter’s square | normocapnia |
O
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
| ocul- | of or pertaining to the eye | Latin oculus, the eye | Oculist |
| odont- | of or pertaining to teeth | Greek ὀδούς, ὀδοντ- (odoús, odont-, tooth | orthodontist |
| odyn- | pain | Greek ὀδύνη (odúnē) | stomatodynia |
| -oesophageal, oesophago- (BrE) | gullet | Greek οἰσοφᾰ́γος (oisophágos) | oesophagus |
| -oid | resemblance to | Greek -ειδής (-eidḗs), like, connected to, pertaining to | Sarcoidosis |
| ole | small or little | Latin -olus, suffix to form a diminutive of the noun | arteriole |
| olig- | having little, having few | Greek ὀλῐ́γος (olígos), few | oligotrophy |
| om(o)- | shoulder | Greek ὦμος (ômos), shoulder | omoplate |
| -oma (singular), -omata (plural) | tumor, mass, fluid collection | Greek -μα (-ma), suffix added to verbs to form nouns indicating the result of a process or action; cf. English -tion | sarcoma, teratoma, mesothelioma |
| omphal(o)- | of or pertaining to the navel, the umbilicus | Greek ὀμφαλός (omphalós), navel, belly-button | omphalotomy |
| onco- | tumor, bulk, volume | Greek ὄγκος (ónkos) | oncology |
| -one | hormone | ||
| onych(o)- | of or pertaining to the nail (of a finger or toe) | Greek ὄνυξ, ὀνυχο- (ónux, onukho-), nail; claw; talon | onychophagy |
| oo- | of or pertaining to an (egg), a woman’s egg, the ovum | Greek ᾠόν, ᾠο- (ōión, ōio-), egg, ovum | oogenesis |
| oophor(o)- | of or pertaining to the woman’s (ovary) | Neoclassical Greek ᾠοφόρον (ōiophóron), ovary, egg-bearing | oophorectomy |
| ophthalm(o)- | of or pertaining to the (eye) | Greek ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmós), the eye | ophthalmology |
| opistho- | back, behind, rear[8] | Greek ὄπῐσθεν (ópisthen), behind, at the back | opisthotonus |
| -opsy | examination or inspection | Greek ὄψῐς (ópsis), view | biopsy, autopsy |
| optic(o)- | of or relating to chemical properties of the eye | Middle French optique; from Greek ὀπτῐκός (optikós); cognate with Latin oculus, relating to the eye | opticochemical, biopsy |
| or(o)- | of or pertaining to the mouth | Latin ōs, ōris, mouth | oral |
| -or | one who, agent noun–forming suffix | generally appended where Latin would do it—to the root of a Latin-type perfect passive participle. Cf. -er | doctor |
| orchi(o)-, orchid(o)-, orch(o)- | testis | Greek ὄρχις (órkhis), testicle, ovary | orchiectomy, orchidectomy |
| orth(o)- | denoting something as straight or correct | Greek ὀρθός (orthós), straight, correct, normal | orthodontist |
| -osis | a condition, disease or increase | Greek -ωσις (-ōsis), state, abnormal condition, action | Harlequin type ichthyosis, psychosis, osteoporosis |
| ossi-, osse- | bone, bony | Latin os, bone | peripheral ossifying fibroma, osseous |
| ost(e)-, oste(o)- | bone | Greek ὀστέον (ostéon), bone | osteoporosis, osteoarthritis |
| ot(o)- | of or pertaining to the ear | Greek οὖς, ὠτ- (oûs, ōt-), the ear | otology |
| -ous | pertaining to | Latin -ōsus, full of, prone to | porous |
| ovari(o)- | of or pertaining to the ovaries | Latin ōvarium, ovary | ovariectomy |
| ovo-, ovi-, ov- | of or pertaining to the eggs, the ovum | Latin (ōvum), egg, ovum | ovogenesis |
| oxo-, ox/i | addition of oxygen | ||
| oxy- | sharp, acid, acute; oxygen | borrowed from French oxygène (originally principe oxigine, ‘acidifying principle’, referring to oxygen’s role in the formation of acids, from Greek ὀξύς (oxús), sharp, pointed + γένος (génos), birth) | oxytocin, oxygenated, oxycodone |
P
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
| pachy- | thick | Greek πᾰχῠ́ς (pakhús), thick, large, stout | pachyderma, pachyderm |
| -pagus | Indicates conjoined twins, with the first part denoting the organs fused | Greek πάγος (págos), fixed, set, fastened | xiphopagus |
| palpebr-| of or pertaining to the eyelid (uncommon as a root)! scope=”row” | palpebr- | of or pertaining to the eyelid (uncommon as a root) | Latin palpebra, eyelid | palpebra |
| pan-, pant(o)- | denoting something as ‘complete’ or containing ‘everything’; “all” | Greek πᾶς, παν- (pâs, pan-), all, every | panophobia, panopticon, pancytopenia (deficiency in all blood cell types – erythrocytes, leukocytes, thrombocytes)[9] |
| papill- | of or pertaining to the nipple (of the chest/breast) | Latin papilla, nipple; diminutive of papula (see below) | papillitis |
| papul(o)- | Indicates papulosity, a small elevation or swelling in the skin, a pimple, swelling | Latin papula, pimple, pustle; a small elevation or swelling in the skin | papulation |
| para- | alongside of | Greek πᾰρᾰ́ (pará) | paracyesis |
| -paresis | slight paralysis | Greek πάρεσις (páresis) | hemiparesis |
| parvo- | small | Latin parvus, small, little, unimportant | Parvovirus |
| path(o)- | disease | Greek πᾰ́θος (páthos), pain, suffering, condition | Pathology |
| -pathy | denotes (with a negative sense) a disease, or disorder | Greek πᾰ́θος (páthos), suffering, accident | sociopathy, neuropathy |
| pauci- | Few | Latin paucus | Pauci-immune |
| pector- | breast or chest | Latin pectus | pectoralgia, pectoriloquy, pectorophony |
| ped-, -ped-, -pes | of or pertaining to the foot; -footed | Latin pēs, pēd-, foot | Pedoscope |
| ped-, pedo- | of or pertaining to the child | Greek παῖς, παιδός (paîs, paidós), child | pediatrics. pedophilia |
| pelv(i)-, pelv(o)- | hip bone | Latin pelvis, basin | Pelvis |
| -penia | deficiency | Greek πενῐ́ᾱ, poverty, indigence | osteopenia |
| peo- | of or pertaining to the penis | Greek πέος (péos) | Peotomy |
| -pepsia | denotes something relating to digestion, or the digestive tract. | Greek πεπτός (peptós), cooked, digested < πέσσω (péssō), I boil, cook; digest | dyspepsia |
| per- | through | Latin per, through, by means of | percutaneous |
| peri- | denoting something with a position ‘surrounding’ or ‘around’ another | Greek περῐ́ (perí), around, about, concerning | periodontal |
| -pexy | fixation | Greek πῆξις (pêxis), fixing in place, fastening | nephropexy |
| phaco- | lens-shaped | Greek φᾰκός (phakós), lentil-bean | phacolysis, phacometer, phacoscotoma |
| -phagia, -phage | Forms terms denoting conditions relating to eating or ingestion | Greek φαγία (phagía) eating < φᾰγεῖν (phageîn), to eat | Sarcophagia |
| -phago- | eating, devouring | Greek -φᾰ́γος (-phágos), eater of, eating | phagocyte |
| phagist- | Forms nouns that denote a person who ‘feeds on’ the first element or part of the word | Greek φαγιστής (phagistḗs) eater; see -phagia | Lotophagi |
| -phagy | Forms nouns that denotes ‘feeding on’ the first element or part of the word | Greek φαγία (phagia) eating; see -phagia | hematophagy |
| phall- | phallus | Greek φαλλός (phallós), penis | Aphallia |
| pharmac- | drug, medication | Greek φάρμᾰκον (phármakon), witchcraft, drug | pharmacology |
| pharyng- | of or pertaining to the pharynx, the upper throat cavity | Greek φᾰ́ρῠγξ, φαρυγγ- (phárunx, pharung-), throat, windpipe; chasm | pharyngitis, pharyngoscopy |
| -phil(ia) | attraction for | Greek φῐλῐ́ᾱ (philíā), friendship, love, affection | hemophilia |
| phleb- | of or pertaining to the (blood) veins, a vein | Greek φλέψ, φλεβ- (phléps, phleb-), blood-vessel, vein | phlebography, phlebotomy |
| -phobia | exaggerated fear, sensitivity, aversion | Greek φόβος (phóbos), terror, fear, flight, panic | arachnophobia |
| phon- | sound | Greek φωνή (phōnḗ) | phonograph, symphony |
| phos- | of or pertaining to light or its chemical properties, now historic and used rarely. See the common root phot- below. | Greek φῶς, φᾰ́ος, φωτ- (phôs, pháos), light | phosphene |
| phot- | of or pertaining to light | Greek φωτω- (phōtō-), < φῶς (phôs), light | photopathy |
| phren-, phrenic- | the mind | Greek φρήν (phrḗn), intellect, wits, mind | phrenic nerve, schizophrenia |
| phyllo- | leaf-like | Greek φῠ́λλον (phúllon), leaf, foliage, plant | phyllodes tumour, phyllotaxis |
| -phyte, phyto- | to grow | Greek φῠτόν (phutón), plant, tree | hydrophyte |
| pia | soft | Medieval Latin pia mater, tender mother, from Latin pia, pius, pious, dutiful, good | pia mater |
| piri- | Pear | Latin pirum, cognate with Greek ἄπιον (ápion), pear | Piriformis muscle |
| -plasia | formation, development | Greek πλᾰ́σῐς (plásis), moulding, conformation | Achondroplasia |
| -plasty | surgical repair, reconstruction | Greek πλαστός (plastós), molded, formed | rhinoplasty |
| -plegia | paralysis | Greek πληγή (plēgḗ), stroke (from a sword), from πληγή (plēgḗ), to strike or smite | paraplegia |
| pleio- | more, excessive, multiple | Greek πλεῖον (pleîon), more | pleiomorphism |
| pleur- | of or pertaining to the ribs | Greek πλευρᾱ́ (pleurā́), rib, side of the body | Pleurogenous |
| -plexy | stroke or seizure | Greek πλήσσω, πλήσσειν (plḗssō, plḗssein), to strike or smite | Cataplexy |
| pne-, pneum- | air, breath, lung | Greek πνεῖν (pneîn), πνεῦμα, πνεύματος (pneûma, pneúmatos), πνεύμων (pneúmōn) | apnea, pneumatology, pneumonocyte, pneumonia |
| pod-, -pod-, -pus | of or pertaining to the foot, -footed | Greek πούς, ποδ- (poús, pod-), foot | podiatry |
| -poiesis | production | Greek ποίησις (poíēsis), poetry, poem, creation | hematopoiesis |
| polio- | having a grey color | Greek πολῐός (poliós), grey, grizzled | poliomyelitis |
| poly- | denotes a ‘plurality’ of something | Greek πολῠ́ς (polús), many, a lot of, large, great | polymyositis |
| por- | pore, porous | Greek πόρος (póros), passage, passageway | pore |
| porphyr- | denotes a purple color | Greek πορφύρα (porphúra), Tyrian purple, royal purple | porphyroblast |
| post- | denotes something as ‘after (time)’ or ‘behind (space)’ another | Latin post, after, behind | postoperation, postmortem |
| pre- | denotes something as ‘before’ another (in [physical] position or time) | Middle English pre-, from Medieval Latin pre- < (Classical) Latin prae-, before, in front of | premature birth |
| presby- | old age | Greek πρέσβυς (présbus), old man, elder | presbyopia, presbycusis[10] |
| prim- | denotes something as ‘first’ or ‘most-important’ | Latin prīmus, first, most important | primary |
| pro- | denotes something as ‘before’ another (in [physical] position or time) | Greek πρό- (pró-), before, in front of | procephalic |
| proct- | anus, rectum | Greek πρωκτός (prōktós), anus | proctology |
| prosop- | face | Greek πρόσωπον (prósōpon), face, visage, mask | prosopagnosia |
| prot- | denotes something as ‘first’ or ‘most important’ | Greek πρωτος (prōtos), first; principal, most important | protoneuron |
| pseud- | denotes something false or fake | Greek ψεύδω (pseúdō), to lie or deceive | pseudoephedrine |
| psor- | Itching | Greek ψώρα (psṓra), itch, mange, scurvy | psoriasis |
| psych- | of or pertaining to the mind | Greek ψυχή (psukhḗ), breath, life, soul | psychology, psychiatry |
| ptero-, ptery- | Pertaining to a wing; ‘pterygo-‘, wing-shaped | Greek πτερόν (pterón), wing, feather | lateral pterygoid plate |
| -ptosis | falling, drooping, downward placement, prolapse | Greek πτῶσῐς (ptôsis), falling | apoptosis, nephroptosis |
| -ptyal-, ptyalo | saliva, salivary glands, sialaden | ptyalolithiasis | |
| -ptysis | spitting | Greek πτῡ́ω (ptū́ō), to spit up, disgorge; + -σις (-sis), added to verb stems to form abstract nouns or nouns of action, result or process | hemoptysis, the spitting of blood derived from the lungs or bronchial tubes |
| pulmon-, pulmo- | of or relating to the lungs | Latin pulmō, a lung | pulmonary |
| py- | pus | Greek πύον (púon | pyometra |
| pyel- | pelvis | Greek πύελος (púelos), pelvis, wash basin | pyelonephritis |
| pykno- | to thicken (as the nucleus does in early stages of cell death) | Greek πύκνωσις (púknōsis), thickening | pyknosis |
| pylor- | gate | Greek πυλωρός (pulōrós), gate keeper; lower orifice of the stomach | pyloric sphincter |
| pyr- | fever | Greek πῦρ, πυρετός (pûr, puretós), fire, heat, fever | antipyretic |
Q-R
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
| quadr(i)- | four | Latin quattuor | quadriceps |
| radi- | radiation | Latin radiō, I radiate, emit beams; from radius, ray of light, spoke of a wheel | radiowave |
| radic- | referring to the beginning, or the root, of a structure, usually a nerve or a vein | Latin rādīx, root | radiculopathy |
| re- | again, back | Latin re- | relapse |
| rect- | rectum | abbr. of New Latin rectum intestinum (‘straight intestine’) < Latin rēctus, straight | rectal, rectum, rectus femoris |
| ren- | of or pertaining to the kidney | Latin rēn, rēnes, kidney | renal |
| reticul(o)- | net | Latin rēticulum | reticulocyte |
| retro- | backward, behind | Latin retro | retroversion, retroverted |
| rhabd(o)- | rod shaped, striated | Greek ῥᾰ́βδος (rhábdos), wand, stick, stripe | rhabdomyolysis |
| rhachi(o)- | spine | Greek ῥάχις (rhákhis), spine or backbone | rachial, rachialgia, rachidian, rachiopathy |
| rhin(o)- | of or pertaining to the nose | Greek ῥίς, ῥῑνο- (rhís, rhīno-), nose | rhinoceros, rhinoplasty |
| rhod(o)- | denoting a rose-red color | Greek ῥόδον (rhódon), rose | rhodophyte |
| -rrhage, -rrhagia | burst forth, rapid flow (of blood, usually) | Greek -ραγία (-ragía), to break, to burst | hemorrhage, menorrhagia |
| -rrhaphy | surgical suturing | Greek ῥαφή (rhaphḗ) | hymenorrhaphy, neurorrhaphy |
| -rrhea (AmE) | flowing, discharge | Greek ῥοίᾱ (rhoíā), flow, flux | galactorrhea, diarrhea |
| -rrhexis | rupture | Greek ῥῆξῐς (rhêxis), breaking, bursting, discharge | karyorrhexis |
| -rrhoea (BrE) | flowing, discharge | Greek ῥοίᾱ (rhoíā), flow, flux | diarrhoea |
| rubr(o)- | of or pertaining to the red nucleus of the brain | Latin ruber, red | rubrospinal |
| -rupt | break or burst | Latin rumpō | erupt, interrupt |
S
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
| salping(o)- | of or pertaining to tubes, e.g. Fallopian tubes | Greek σᾰ́λπῐγξ, σαλπιγγ-, (sálpinx, salping-), trumpet | salpingectomy, salpingopharyngeus muscle |
| sangui-, sanguine- | of or pertaining to blood | Latin sanguis, blood | sanguine |
| sapro- | relating to putrefaction or decay | Greek σαπρός (saprós), rotten, putrid | saprogenic |
| sarco- | muscular, flesh-like | Greek σάρξ (sárx), flesh | sarcoma, sarcoidosis |
| schist(o)- | split, cleft | Greek σχῐστός (skhistós), cloven, divided | schistocyte |
| schiz(o)- | denoting something “split” or “double-sided” | Greek σχῐ́ζω (skhízō), I split, cleave, part; irregular formation of the verb σχῐ́ζειν (skhízein), to cut, split | schizophrenia |
| scler(o)- | hard | Greek σκληρός (sklērós) | scleroderma |
| -sclerosis | hardening | Greek σκληρός (sklērós), hard, harden; + -σῐς (-sis), added to verb stems to form abstract nouns or nouns of action, result or process | atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis |
| scoli(o)- | twisted | Greek σκολιός (skoliós), curved, bent | scoliosis |
| -scope | instrument for viewing | Greek σκόπος (skópos), watcher | stethoscope |
| -scopy | process of viewing | Greek σκοπέω (skopéō), to look at, behold, examine | endoscopy |
| scoto- | darkness | Greek σκότος (skótos) | scotopic vision |
| semi- | one-half, partly | Latin semi- | semiconscious |
| sial(o)- | saliva, salivary gland | Latin salīva, saliva. | sialagogue |
| sigmoid(o)- | sigmoid, S-shaped curvature | Greek σιγμοειδής (sigmoeidḗs), crescent-shaped, lunate sigma-shaped | sigmoid colon |
| sinistr(o)- | left, left side | Latin sinister | |
| sinus- | of or pertaining to the sinus | Latin sinus, a curve, bend, hollow cavity, bosom | sinusitis |
| sito- | food, grain | Greek σῖτος (sîtos) | sitophobia |
| somat(o)-, somatico- | body, bodily | Greek σῶμα (sôma) | somatic |
| somn(o) | Sleep | Latin somnus, sleep, drowsiness | insomniac[11] |
| -spadias | slit, fissure | Greek σπάω (spáō), break, split | hypospadias, epispadias |
| spasmo- | spasm | Greek σπασμός (spasmós) | Spasmodic dysphonia |
| sperma-, spermo-, spermato- | semen, spermatozoa | Greek σπέρμα (spérma), seed, semen | spermatogenesis |
| splanchn(i)-, splanchn(o)- | viscera | Greek σπλᾰ́γχνον (splánkhnon), bowels, guts | splanchnology |
| splen(o)- | spleen | Greek σπλήν, σπλην- (splḗn, splēn-), spleen, milt | splenectomy |
| spondyl(o)- | of or pertaining to the spine, the vertebra | Greek σφόνδῠλος / σπόνδυλος (sphóndulos, spóndulos), the spine | spondylitis |
| squamos(o)- | denoting something as “full of scales” or “scaly” | Latin squāmōsus, full of scales, scaly | squamous cell |
| -stalsis | contraction | Greek στέλλω (stéllō), I dispatch, place, set | peristalsis |
| -stasis | stopping, standing | Greek στᾰ́σῐς (stásis), to stand, place, set | cytostasis, homeostasis |
| -staxis | dripping, trickling | Greek στάζω, στακτός (stázō, staktós), drip, leak, trickle | |
| sten(o)- | denoting something as narrow in shape or pertaining to narrowness | Greek στενός (stenós), narrow, short | stenography |
| -stenosis | abnormal narrowing of a blood vessel or other tubular organ or structure | Greek στενός (stenós), narrow, short; + -σῐς (-sis), added to verb stems to form abstract nouns or nouns of action, result or process | restenosis, stenosis |
| steth- | of or pertaining to the upper chest, the area above the breast and under the neck | Greek στῆθος (stêthos), chest, cuirass | stethoscope |
| stheno- | strength, force, power | Greek σθένος (sthénos) | |
| stom-, stomat- | of or pertaining to the mouth; an artificially created opening[12] | Greek στόμᾰ, στοματ- (stóma, stomat-), mouth | stomatogastric, stomatognathic system |
| -stomy | creation of an opening | New Latin stoma, opening; from Greek στόμᾰ (stóma) | colostomy |
| sub- | beneath, under | Latin sub | subcutaneous tissue |
| super- | in excess, above, superior | Latin super | superior vena cava |
| supra- | above, excessive | Latin supra | supraorbital vein |
| sy, syl-, sym-, syn-, sys- | indicates similarity, likeness, or being together; assimilates before some consonants: before l to syl-, s to sys-, before a labial consonant to sym- | Greek σῠν- (sun-), with, together | symptom, synalgia, synesthesia, syssarcosis |
T
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
| tachy- | denoting something as fast, irregularly fast | Greek τᾰχῠ́ς (takhús), fast, quickly | tachycardia |
| -tension, -tensive | pressure | Latin tēnsiō, stretching, extension, tension | hypertension |
| terato- | Monster | Greek τέρᾰς (téras) | teratoma, teratogen |
| tetan- | rigid, tense | Greek τέτανος (tétanos) | tetanus |
| thec- | case, sheath | Greek θήκη (thḗkē) | intrathecal |
| thel- | of or pertaining to a nipple (uncommon as a prefix) | Greek θηλή (thēlḗ), a teat, nipple | Theleplasty, thelarche |
| thely- | denoting something as relating to a woman, feminine | Greek θῆλῠς (thêlus), female, feminine | Thelygenous |
| therap- | treatment | Greek θερᾰπείᾱ (therapeíā) | hydrotherapy, therapeutic |
| therm(o)- | heat | Greek θερμός (thermós) | hypothermia |
| thorac(i)-, thorac(o)-, thoracico- | of or pertaining to the upper chest, chest; the area above the breast and under the neck | Latin thōrāx < Greek θώρᾱξ (thṓrāx), chest, cuirass | thoracic, thorax |
| thromb(o)- | of or relating to a blood clot, clotting of blood | Greek θρόμβος (thrómbos), lump, piece, clot of blood | thrombus, thrombocytopenia |
| thyr(o)- | thyroid | Greek θῠρεός (thureós), large oblong shield; + εἶδος (eîdos), a form or shape | |
| thym- | emotions | Greek θῡμός (thūmós), spirit, soul; courage; breath, mind, emotions | dysthymia |
| -tic | pertaining to | Greek -τῐκός (-tikós), adjective-forming suffix denoting: relating to, able to, suited to | |
| toco- | childbirth | Greek τόκος (tókos) | tocolytic |
| -tome | cutting instrument | Greek τομή (tomḗ), intersection | |
| -tomy | act of cutting; incising, incision | Greek τομία (-tomía) | Gastrotomy |
| ton- | tone, tension, pressure | Greek τόνος (tónos), rope, cord; tension | |
| -tony | tension | Greek -τονία (-tonía) | |
| top(o)- | place, topical | Greek τόπος (tópos) | Topical anesthetic |
| tort(i)- | twisted | Latin tortus | Torticollis |
| tox(i)-, tox(o)-, toxic(o)- | toxin, poison | Greek τοξικόν (toxikón), bow (archery), bow-related; from Greek τοξικόν φάρμᾰκον (toxikón phármakon), poison for smearing arrows with | Toxoplasmosis |
| trache(a)- | trachea | Greek τραχεῖα (trakheîa), windpipe | Tracheotomy |
| trachel(o)- | of or pertaining to the neck | Greek τρᾰ́χηλος (trákhēlos), neck | tracheloplasty |
| trans- | denoting something as moving or situated across or through | Latin trāns, across, through | Transfusion |
| tri- | three | Latin tri- | triangle, triceps |
| trich(i)-, trichia, trich(o)- | of or pertaining to hair, hair-like structure | Greek θρῐ́ξ (thríx), hair | trichocyst |
| -tripsy | crushing | Greek τρῖψις (trípsis), rubbing, friction | lithotripsy |
| -trophy | nourishment, development | Greek τροφή (trophḗ), food, nourishment | pseudohypertrophy |
| -trop | turned toward, with an orientation toward, having an affinity for, affecting | Greek τρόπος (trópos), a turn, way, manner, style | geotropic, phototropic |
| tympan(o)- | eardrum | Greek τῠ́μπᾰνον (túmpanon), drum, eardrum | tympanocentesis |
U
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
| -ula, -ule | small | Latin | Nodule |
| ultra- | beyond, excessive | Latin ultra | ultrasound, ultraviolet |
| umbilic- | of or pertaining to the navel, the umbilicus | Latin umbilīcus, navel, belly-button | umbilical |
| ungui- | of or pertaining to the nail, a claw | Latin unguis, nail, claw | unguiform, ungual |
| un(i)- | one | Latin ūnus | unilateral hearing loss |
| ur- | of or pertaining to urine, the urinary system | Greek οὐρέω, οὐρεῖν (ouréō, oureîn); οὖρον (oûron), urine | antidiuretic, diuresis, diuretic, dysuria, enuresis, polyurea, polyuria, uraemia/uremia, uremic, ureter, urethra, urology |
| urin- | of or pertaining to urine, the urinary system | Latin ūrīna, urine < Greek οὖρον (oûron), see ur- above. | uriniferous |
| uter(o)- | of or pertaining to the uterus or womb | Latin uterus, womb, uterus | uterus |
V
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
| vagin- | of or pertaining to the vagina | Latin vāgīna, sheath, scabbard; vagina | vaginal epithelium |
| varic(o)- | swollen or twisted vein | Latin varix | varicose, esophageal varices |
| vas(o)- | duct, blood vessel | Latin vās, vessel, dish, vase | vasoconstriction |
| vasculo- | blood vessel | Latin vāsculum | cardiovascular |
| ven- | of or pertaining to the veins, venous blood, and the vascular system | Latin vēna, blood-vessel, vein | venule, venospasm |
| ventr(o)- | of or pertaining to the belly, the stomach cavities | Latin venter, belly, stomach, womb | ventrodorsal |
| ventricul(o)- | of or pertaining to the ventricles; any hollow region inside an organ | Latin ventriculus, the ventricles of the heart, the ventricles of the brain | cardiac ventriculography, atrioventricular node |
| -version | turning | Latin versiō | anteversion, retroversion |
| vesic(o)- | of or pertaining to the bladder | Latin vēsīca, bladder, blister | vesical arteries |
| viscer(o)- | of or pertaining to the internal organs, the viscera | Latin viscus (pl. viscera), internal organ(s) | viscera |
X-Z
| Affix | Meaning | Origin language and etymology | Example(s) |
| xanth(o)- | having a yellow color, especially an abnormally yellow color | Greek ξᾰνθός (xanthós), yellow | xanthopathy |
| xanthelasma | |||
| xen(o)- | foreign, different | Greek ξένος (xénos), foreign, stranger | xenograft |
| xer(o)- | dry, desert-like | Greek ξηρός (xērós), dry | xerostomia, xeroderma |
| xiph- | sword | Greek ξῐ́φος (xíphos), sword | xiphisternum, xiphoid, xiphoidalgia |
| -y | condition or process of | Latin -ia, from Greek -ῐ́ᾱ, -ειᾰ (-íā, -eia), suffixes used to form abstract nouns | surgery |
| ze- | boil | Greek ζέω (zéō), to boil, seethe, bubble | eczema |
| zo(o)- | animal, animal life | Greek ζῷον (zôion) | zoology |
| zym(o)- | fermentation | Greek ζύμη (zúmē), leaven, yeast | enzyme, lysozyme |
Bodily Concept
| Bodily concept | Greek root in English | Latin root in English | Other root in English |
| digestion | -pepsia | – | – |
| disease | -pathy | – | – |
| eating | -phagia | -vory | – |
Body Parts and Substances
| Body part or component | Greek root in English | Latin root in English | Other root in English |
| abdomen | lapar- | abdomin- | – |
| aorta | aort- | – | – |
| arm | brachi- | arm- | – |
| armpit | maschal- | axill- | – |
| artery | arteri- | – | – |
| back | not- | dors- | – |
| big toe | – | allic-, hallic- | – |
| bladder | cyst- | vesic- | – |
| blood | haemat-, hemat- (haem-, hem-) | sangui-, sanguin- | – |
| blood clot | thromb- | – | – |
| blood vessel | angi- | vas-, vascul- | – |
| body | somat-, som- | corpor- | – |
| bone | oste- | ossi- | – |
| bone marrow, marrow | myel- | medull- | – |
| brain | encephal- | cerebr- | – |
| breast | mast- | mamm- | – |
| chest | steth- | pector- | – |
| cheek | parei- | bucc- | – |
| ear | ot(o)- | aur(i)- | – |
| eggs, ova | oo- | ov- | – |
| eye | ophthalm(o)- | ocul(o)- | optic(o)- (French) |
| eyelid | blephar(o)- | cili-, palpebr- | – |
| face | prosop(o)- | faci(o)- | – |
| fallopian tubes | salping(o)- | – | – |
| fat, fatty tissue | lip(o)- | adip- | – |
| finger | dactyl(o)- | digit- | – |
| forehead | – | front(o)- | – |
| gallbladder | cholecyst(o)- | fell- | – |
| genitals, sexually undifferentiated | gon(o)-, phall(o)- | – | – |
| gland | aden(o)- | – | – |
| glans penis or clitoridis | balan(o)- | – | – |
| gums | – | gingiv- | – |
| hair | trich(o)- | capill- | – |
| hands | cheir(o)-, chir(o)- | manu- | – |
| head | cephal(o)- | capit(o)- | – |
| heart | cardi(o)- | cordi- | – |
| hip, hip-joint | – | cox- | – |
| horn | cerat(o)- | cornu- | – |
| intestine | enter(o)- | – | – |
| jaw | gnath(o)- | – | – |
| kidney | nephr(o)- | ren- | – |
| knee | gon- | genu- | – |
| lip | cheil(o)-, chil(o)- | labi(o)- | – |
| liver | hepat(o)-, (hepatic-) | jecor- | – |
| loins, pubic region | episi(o)- | pudend- | – |
| lungs | pneumon- | pulmon(i)-, (pulmo-) | – |
| marrow, bone marrow | myel(o)- | medull- | – |
| mind | psych- | ment- | – |
| mouth | stomat(o)- | or- | – |
| muscle | my(o)- | – | – |
| nail | onych(o)- | ungui- | – |
| navel | omphal(o)- | umbilic- | – |
| neck | trachel(o)- | cervic- | – |
| nerve; the nervous system | neur(o)- | nerv- | – |
| nipple, teat | thele- | papill-, mammill- | – |
| nose | rhin(o)- | nas- | – |
| ovary | oophor(o)- | ovari(o)- | – |
| pelvis | pyel(o)- | pelv(i)- | – |
| penis | pe(o)- | – | – |
| pupil (of the eye) | cor-, core-, coro- | – | – |
| rib | pleur(o)- | cost(o)- | – |
| rib cage | thorac(i)-, thorac(o)- | – | – |
| shoulder | om(o)- | humer(o)- | – |
| sinus | – | sinus- | – |
| skin | dermat(o)-, (derm-) | cut-, cuticul- | – |
| skull | crani(o)- | – | – |
| stomach | gastr(o)- | ventr(o)- | – |
| testis | orchi(o)-, orchid(o)- | – | – |
| throat (upper throat cavity) | pharyng(o)- | – | – |
| throat (lower throat cavity/voice box) | laryng(o)- | – | – |
| thumb | – | pollic- | – |
| tooth | odont(o)- | dent(i)- | – |
| tongue | gloss-, glott- | lingu(a)- | – |
| toe | dactyl(o)- | digit- | – |
| tumour | cel-, onc(o)- | tum- | – |
| ureter | ureter(o)- | ureter(o)- | – |
| urethra | urethr(o)-, urethr(a)- | urethr(o)-, urethr(a)- | – |
| urine, urinary system | ur(o)- | urin(o)- | – |
| uterine tubes | salping(o)- | salping(o)- | – |
| uterus | hyster(o)-, metr(o)- | uter(o)- | – |
| vagina | colp(o)- | vagin- | – |
| vein | phleb(o)- | ven- | – |
| vulva | episi(o)- | vulv- | – |
| womb | hyster(o)-, metr(o)- | uter(o)- | – |
| wrist | carp(o)- | carp(o)- | – |
Colour
| Colour | Greek root in English | Latin root in English | Other root in English |
| black | melan- | atr-, nigr- | – |
| blue | cyan- | cerule- | – |
| gold | chrys- | aur- | – |
| gray, grey | poli- | can- | – |
| green | chlor- | vir- | – |
| purple | porphyr- | purpur-, purpureo- | – |
| red | erythr-, rhod- | rub-, rubr-, ruf- | – |
| red-orange | cirrh- | – | – |
| silver | – | argent- | – |
| white | leuc-, leuk- | alb-, cand- | – |
| yellow | xanth- | flav- | jaun- (French) |
Description
| Description | Greek root in English | Latin root in English | Other root in English |
| bad, incorrect | cac-, dys- | mal- | mis- |
| bent, crooked | ankyl- | prav- | – |
| big | mega-, megal(o)- | magn(i)- | – |
| biggest | megist- | maxim- | – |
| broad, wide | eury- | lat(i)- | – |
| cold | cry(o)- | frig(i)- | – |
| dead | necr(o)- | mort- | – |
| equal | is(o)- | equ(i)- | – |
| FALSE | pseud(o)- | fals(i)- | – |
| fast | tachy- | celer- | – |
| female, feminine | thely- | – | – |
| flat | platy- | plan(i)- | – |
| good, well | eu- | ben(e)-, bon(i)- | – |
| great | mega-, megal(o)- | magn(i)- | – |
| hard | scler(o)- | dur(i)- | – |
| heavy | bar(o)- | grav(i)- | – |
| hollow | coel(o)- | cav(i)- | – |
| huge | megal(o)- | magn(i)- | – |
| irregular | poikil(o) | – | – |
| large; extremely large | mega- | magn(i)- | – |
| largest | megist- | maxim- | – |
| long | macr(o)- | long(i)- | – |
| male, masculine | arseno- | vir- | – |
| narrow | sten(o)- | angust(i)- | – |
| new | ne(o)- | nov(i)- | – |
| normal, correct | orth(o)- | rect(i)- | – |
| old | paleo- | veter- | – |
| sharp | oxy- | ac- | – |
| short | brachy- | brev(i)- | – |
| small | micr(o)- | parv(i)- (rare) | – |
| smallest | – | minim- | – |
| slow | brady- | tard(i)- | – |
| soft | malac(o)- | moll(i)- | – |
| straight | orth(o)- | rect(i)- | – |
| thick | pachy- | crass(i)- | – |
| varied, various | poikilo- | vari- | – |
Position
| Description | Greek root in English | Latin root in English | Other root in English |
| around, surrounding | peri- | circum- | – |
| internal, within | endo- | intra- | – |
| left | levo- | laev-, sinistr- | – |
| middle | meso-, mes- | medi- | – |
| right | dexi- | dex-, dextr-, dextro- | – |
Quantity or Amount
| Description | Greek root in English | Latin root in English | Other root in English |
| double | diplo- | dupli- | – |
| equal | iso- | equi- | – |
| few | oligo- | pauci- | – |
| half | hemi- | semi- | demi- (French) |
| many, much | poly- | multi- | – |
| twice | dis- | bis- | – |
